Gdf15 as biomarker for diagnosing mitochondrial diseases

Abstract

To obtain data associated with a mitochondrial disease, a method includes measuring the level of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), MIG (gamma interferon induction monokine), SCF (stem cell factor) and SCGF-β (stem cell growth factor beta) in a biological sample collected from a subject. The measured protein level is compared to that of control subjects and then it is checked whether or not there is difference between the protein level of the subject and that of control subjects.

1 . A measuring method that obtains data associated with a mitochondrial disease comprising:
 measuring the level of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), MIG (gamma interferon induction monokine), SCF (stem cell factor) and SCGF-β (stem cell growth factor beta) in a biological sample collected from a subject;   comparing the protein level to that of control subjects; and   checking whether or not there is difference between the protein level of the subject and that of control subjects.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein checking the level of GDF15, HGF, MIG and SCF in the biological sample collected from the subject is higher than that in the biological sample collected from control subjects; and checking the level of SCGF-β in the biological sample collected from the subject is lower than that in the biological sample collected from control subjects. 
     
     
         3 . measuring method that obtains data associated with a mitochondrial disease comprising:
 measuring the level of mRNA of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), MIG (gamma interferon induction monokine), SCF (stem cell factor) and SCGF-β (stem cell growth factor beta) in a biological sample collected from a subject;   comparing the mRNA level to that of control subjects; and   checking whether or not there is difference between the mRNA level of the subject and that of control subjects.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is blood. 
     
     
         5 . A measurement kit for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , comprising an antibody that specifically recognizes a protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15, MIG, SCF and SCGF-β. 
     
     
         6 . A measurement kit for carrying out the method according to  claim 3 , comprising DNA that recognizes mRNA that expresses the protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15, HGF, MIG, SCF and SCGF-β. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A therapeutic kit comprising:
 the kit according to  claim 5  and   a therapeutic agent for a mitochondrial disease.   
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic kit according to  claim 9 , wherein the therapeutic agent for a mitochondrial disease is selected from the group consisting of sodium pyruvate, coenzyme Q10 or coenzyme Q10 analogue, EPI-743 and L-arginine. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the biological sample is blood. 
     
     
         12 . A measurement kit for carrying out the method according to  claim 2 , comprising an antibody that specifically recognizes a protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15, HGF, MTG, SCF and SCGF-β. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the biological sample is blood. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A measurement kit for carrying out the method according to  claim 4 , comprising DNA that recognizes mRNA that expresses the protein selected from the group consisting of GDF15, HGF MIG, SCF and SCGF-β.